Just Got My Sting Ray Today!! Need Help

[tainte97]

Well I just picked up my stingray today! Hes so tiny, can fit in the palm of your hand. Got a few questions, hes a atlantic ray or round ray I think. Anyways the guy gave me live brine shrimpto feed him,he was eating at the store, I poured some in the tank and there everywhere now, how can I get all the extra out,or will they just die off? Will this affect my water at all? Also how long before they usually eat? Also do they shed there skin, it looks like he has a thin layer of slimon him or something. The LFS had 5 others that all had the slim on them. Is there another food to feed them when there this small other than live brone shrimp thats not going to get all over the tank? I will post some pictures tonight!

 

[cartman101]

sorry cant answer your questions, never had live brine before. GREAT buy! i would love to see the ray! What tank size is he in? Whats his tankmates? Love to see some pics!

 

[mitzel]

ghost shrimp. frozen krill , frozen squid . be sure to clean it first, and frozen scallops. mine never ate scallops but others swear by them. Just make sur to cut anything frozen up small enough .

 

[connor]

that must be awesome ive always wanted a little ray!! what size tank do you have him in?

 

[cartman101]

Originally Posted by mitzel
ghost shrimp. frozen krill , frozen squid . be sure to clean it first, and frozen scallops. mine never ate scallops but others swear by them. Just make sur to cut anything frozen up small enough .
i second that too

 

[tainte97]

sorry just got back from the store again,had to get salt water. Hes in a 125 gallon with a porcipine puffer(dont know if i spelled that right) oh yeaone blue damsel that i hate and cant catch! He looks so small in the tank. I will have pictures tomorrow because I have the lights off for him to get used to it. Anyone with rays out there, is it normal for him to be breathing very hard? Im worried something is wrong with him, hes just kinda laying there breathing very fast and heavy. The LFS said this was normal, but he has that slime looking stuff on him,almost looks like he shedding.

 

[cartman101]

u just got him when today right? Then i would say its normal hes breathing heavy, dunno about the slime.

 

[tainte97]

I hope so, Oh yea I got him today. I called the store where they have 4 others from the same load and they said theres are doing the same. Guess I'll have to sit it out and see what happens

 

[mitzel]

It is normal for it to breath like that . and I wouldn't worry about the slime looking stuff unless it continues in to the future. And as for the damsel I wouldn't worry about it . I have a feeling it won't bother you much longer.

Can you say lunch. and your 125 should be great for your ray. just keep an eye on water quality since rays are carnivors they will make a mess of the water.

 

[cartman101]

hope there wasn't a parasite in the water??

Who knows it could just be from stress

 

[tainte97]

OK thanksfor the info. What is that slime stuff? I know with my lion fish any time he gets a parasite or something bothers him he sheds a layer of skin, is it like that?

 

[jcrim]

Congrats on the ray. Rays naturally have a slime coating over their skin. Unfortunately that's why a lot of fish tend to nip at them. Watch your porcupine puffer because even one bite could lead to an infection. Good luck.

 

[mitzel]

Mine would get a bit slimy when it stressed out .
Make sure you have a lid or a hood so it can't jump out of your tank . Mine was a jumper .

 

[tainte97]

my tank is covered very well. He seems to be doing better. The layer of skin is off, just his tail has some slime left on it. Hes still breathing hard, but looks better.

 

[mitzel]

mine always would always breeth like that.I think its because they have to force the water thru their gills when they are not moving. good luck with your ray .

 

[tainte97]

well woke up this morning and he was dead! Very sad! Guess he was sick or something, the store is going to replace him so im not out the money, really disappointed though, was told there were very hardy fish.

 

[cartman101]

hmm, i would definitly not go back and buy a ray from that place, not your fault,but i believe the rays had a parasite or in harsh water at the store, they are usely very hardy if it is a cali. Maybe try another place or wait a few days before purchasing another ray from that same store. Did the store just get the rays in? If so you should of have waited.

 

[tainte97]

yes they just got them in yesterday morning. I will see if its eating when i go there. Also if there swimming around thats a good sign to right? Because the one I got yesterday just laid on the bottom in one spot, never swam anywhere.

 

[tainte97]

heres 2 pics of him, can you tell what kind he is? Im not even sure this guy had the right info now!

 

[cartman101]

Originally Posted by tainte97
yes they just got them in yesterday morning. I will see if its eating when i go there. Also if there swimming around thats a good sign to right? Because the one I got yesterday just laid on the bottom in one spot, never swam anywhere.
i would NOT pick one up untill they have been there at least a week, they could all have diseases, maybe your died by stress. Since u pick it up the same day they got them in. Its a cali ray